Hyatt has reversed course and will no longer outsource valet and bellhop duties at its newly-acquired Royal Palms Resort and Spa in Phoenix, a company spokesperson confirmed Tuesday afternoon.
Valet and bellhop staff told ABC15 on Monday that they were laid off without notice and that their jobs would be outsourced to a third-party valet company.
Hyatt has since dropped that plan and will bring on the valet and bell staff as Hyatt staff members, according to a Hyatt spokesperson.
“We have spoken with the team members and offered each of them employment with Hyatt,” said Marc Ellin, senior vice president of field operations for Hyatt. “Our discussions indicate that the team is pleased with the payment structure and benefits.”
Hyatt purchased Royal Palms, located at 5200 East Camelback Road, from Destination Hotels in a deal announced last month. The property will retain its name and be part of The Unbound Collection by Hyatt.
Valet staff member Ryan Kent confirmed the Tuesday morning meeting with Hyatt management.
“They apologized to us and said they’d love to have us come back to work for Hyatt,” Kent said in a text message to ABC15. “All of us are really excited to start working for them now.”
On Monday, Kent said that the valet department includes 15 staff members.
